Back in Action!

Ok, I know. I have not posted anything in quite a while. Too long really. I have been so busy with work, and a couple other odd and end things, there has been no free time to enjoy the 'relaxation' of my quilting projects. 

BUT, not to worry. That is all going to change shortly. 

I am working on making some more time in my day in order to do some things that I enjoy. Really, this is to help me relax, so we will so how that goes. 

Thanks to my family, they helped me to remember that there are still the little things, like my projects, that are important. It was as simple as buying a pair of fabric sheers for my birthday, and BAM. The feeling of excitement when I think about quilting came right back. 

Unfortunately, I have no pictures to upload at the moment, but hopefully tomorrow I will be back in the swing of things. I just thought I would give you all a quick update on what was going on currently, and not to give up me, and to keep watching for, and looking forward to my posts!

Lets just say I have two other projects I may be starting on soon. I realize that it is going to take longer to finish one project, but lets face it. I am truly a person of variety, and need to keep you guessing as to what I will do next. =)

Until tomorrow!

We are making progress! Slow but sure =)

So, here we are. I now have seven rows of material sewn together, and I am truly loving this the more I put together! I know that sewing these pieces together is probably going to be the easiest part of this project...and the hardest parts are yet to come.

No worries, I have not lost my sanity...yet.

It is my belief that putting the actual quilting designs is going to be my biggest hurdle, but that is ok! If I weren't up for the challenge, I wouldn't have started this quilt in the first place =)

So here we have it, my progress thus far in my first, very fun, very colorful quilt!

HERE WE GO!!!!!

OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN. 

I am not going to lie. Sewing machines have always intimidated me, but trust me. This machine is NOT going to get the best of me!

So. Here begins my adventure. Now let me tell you, getting to this point in the picture was more stressful than I thought it was going to be.


In order to begin my project, I actually needed to set up everything on my sewing machine. The took a lot of reading of the manual, watching short clips on YouTube,  and making a couple phone calls. =) All turned out well (of course with more frustration that I would have liked). I have to say, threading a sewing machine is something else, and something else that I am going to have to get used to for sure, even if it is not my favorite thing to do. =/

So, here they are. All of my beautiful pieces of fabric, all cut into manageable 2" wide pieces (various lengths that I really didn't measure). I cant decide just yet whether or not this quilt will have a vertical design, or a horizontal design. I am thinking that we will wait to see how far my fabric will get me, then determine which way it will finish up with. 

It really did not take me long to sew together each piece of fabric. It takes a bit longer to sew the long strips together. I do know that for my next project, I may spend a little more time planning, rather than just jumping right in. Although, because of the type of quilt I am currently making, jumping right in was not so bad =)

And there I go. Sewing my long strips of fabric together! I don't know why I did not start something like this earlier. It is actually quite fun! Not to mention a lot less intimidating that I expected it to be! =) I just want to go out and buy so much more fabric! However, I am going to finish one project before I jump to the next. Maybe. You know, it may not be such a bad idea to work on multiple projects, that way...I could save myself early on from potential boredom! For those of you who know me...it is pretty hard for me to stick to one thing for too long! Ha. =) I am having so much fun with this!

VOILA

Four Rows Done. 

And much more to come. 

Could it be??

Is this REAL?? 

Why Yes. 

Yes it is.

I HAVE A SPACE DEDICATED TO MY SEWING ADVENTURES!

This is yet another exciting day!! One step closer to officially beginning (by this I mean actually using my sewing machine to put these fabulous pieces of fabric together) my quilting adventures!

I have been looking more into my 'Scrappy Quilt' book, and it just makes me happy. Who knew, right? Definitely not this girl. Looking back, I really do wish I learned how to sew at an earlier age..but, it is never too late too learn. And who knows, I may just downright by TERRBLE at this. Yes...TERRBLE. 

Tuesday is the day I plan on starting my quilt, now that I have my fabrics, tools, and space. Those are the main things, now I just need time! I am fully ready to use most of my spare time working on these projects, hoping that in this case, practice makes perfect =)

Wish me luck, and I can't wait to share with you the actual beginning to this first project of mine!

~New and Freshly Tested Tools~

Look what I bought today!! I wouldn't say that this is everything I need, only because I have yet to pick up my sewing machine! HA! But...this is fun. I went to a JO-ANN fabrics store in Grand Rapids today, and I must say, that store is HUGE! I want to go back just to look at all of the fabrics they have! It was crazy. But I did get some of my tools, and all were on a very good sale. BONUS!


*Not to mention stopping by Barnes & Noble was a must =)






I was very pleased to notice this in the back of my new book. Based on the fact that I have never made a quilt, let alone used my sewing machine very much at all, having this quick guide is really going to help me throughout this adventure!


So looking through this new quilt book that I bought, I am getting very excited for future projects that will definitely be coming in my future. Here is a sneak peak of something that I will be working on later this year:

I can just image it now. Various prints of orange, green, yellow, and black. Cats, witches, pumpkins, and ghosts.  All put into an intricate pattern of GLORIOUS. 

I cannot believe I hadn't thought of this before! This should have been my FIRST PRIORITY! For all of you who know me, Halloween is a bit part of my life =) Needless to say, making a quilt that is based off of Halloween is a must, and has been put on my list of TO-DO's. I know there may be a few of you out there that would be willing to help with this one!

You never know...I may just start gifting these things out when the time is right!...or I may just keep it for myself because it is just going to be that fantastic.


Ok. Here it is. This should give you a better idea of what I am currently in the process of working on. Tonight, I spent some time using my new rotary cutter and mat to cut my fabrics into strips, which really, I haven't even made a dent in all my material. Who ever thought making a quilt would be quick? =) So, here it is:

Do you get a feel of where I am going with this?! How bright and fun, right? Really, that is only four fabrics out of about 15 patterns that I actually have to use on this quilt. I get more and more excited every day that I spend time on this. And really, I never took myself as someone who would devote so much time into a hobby such as this. =) But here I am, and it is only going to get better. 

Sneak peak of material!

Thought I would let you all in on what kind of material I will be using. I have been stock piling various patterns for the day that I start my project, BEHOLD!

   I am REALLY excited about these patterns so far. 

Doesn't that look fun?! I am aiming at finding completely outrageous color patterns, and putting them together to make a beautiful quilt. We will see how that goes! =)

As of right now, I have been on the hunt for great deals on sewing items, such as cutting mats, rotary scissors, and gridded rulers. All essential tools to help me make this journey as painless as possible. Now...I could definitely just sit in one spot on the couch for hours cutting strips out of my fun fabrics, but come on. It would be much more efficient if I had some handy tools, especially going into the future!

As my pile of fabric grows, so does my excitement for this project. I feel as though I am ready! The next essential decision I am going to have to make: What am I going to sacrifice in my life in order to make time for this new adventure? Well. To most, that should be an easy one =) We will see where my decision on that one stands this weekend...

Welcome to my new world of sewing!

Hello friends! I just wanted to welcome you into the adventure I am about to partake in! This week (once I get a hold of my sewing machine again) I will be starting on my very first quilt. I know...it is a bit extreme for a sewing newbie to start on such a crazy project. But really, who else would I be if I didn't? =)

Here are my thoughts:

Before I even start on the actual quilt, I need to go buy more of the necessities, say...more fabric for one! Also, a nice mat to cut on and one of those nice rolling blades! Also, I need to set up a space for all of this quilting. Thanks to my best friend for giving me the idea...I will have my whole upstairs dedicated to my sewing room! I just need to get up there and clean it out a bit, set up another table, and away we go! This is very exciting =D

So. Picture this. 

Bright, colorful, crazy print fabrics. Are you following me? These fabrics will be cut into strips. After arranging these said strips into no particular pattern, I will be sewing them together, slowly, and carefully. One by one, these strips will become long strips. These longs strips will then also be sewn together, and before you know it -- I will have enough of them sewn together to be a quilt! CRAZY. You did not see that coming...did you?!

Ha. So that will be what I shall work on for my first quilt. It will give me a lot of sewing practice for future projects, and fancier quilts! I am excited to be sharing this experience with you, and cant wait to start sharing my photos! I hope you enjoy what I have to share!